Evolution / Genetics

2,200 year-old Paphlagonian burial chamber discovered in Turkey

Archaeologists in Turkey's northern Kastamonu province have discovered a 2,200-year-old ancient burial chamber belonging to the Paphlagonian era, the first of its kind found in the area.

Excavations in the area have reportedly been launched in 2015 in Kastamonu's Daday district, after authorities were notified about treasure hunters digging in the area, Associate Professor Şahin Yıldırım from Bartın University who teaches archaeology and works as an advisor for the project, told the Anadolu Agency.

Yıldırım noted that the excavations are being led by Kastamonu Museum Directorate.

The burial chamber, which has a 22-meter diameter and is 5 meters in height, has various tomb stones, all of which are separately numbered. Iron clasps were reportedly used to attach the tomb stones and lead was melted in between to ensure the stones survive natural disasters.

"Each stone is uniquely different from each other" Yıldırım said, and continued by noting that the stones, which were lifted by cranes, weigh as much as between 800 kilograms to 8.5 tons.

"It is the first time we have encountered such a burial chamber from the Paphlagonian era" Yıldırım said, adding that it is thought to belong to an aristocrat from the 2nd century BC.

Yıldırım noted that the burial chamber was damaged during excavations carried out by treasure hunters.

Fieldwork around the burial chamber has reportedly been completed and archaeologists will now carry out restoration work, landscaping, and exhibition projects to promote the region's history.

Editor's Note:

After the death of Alexander the Great, Paphlagonia was assigned, together with Cappadocia and Mysia, to the Macedonian King Eumenes. It was subsequently absorbed by the Kingdom of Pontus which controlled the greater part of Paphlagonia as early as the reign of Mithridates Ctistes (302–266 BC) until the fall of Mithridates VI (65 BC).